presleymarie85's reviews
181 reviews

At its core, Shark Heart by Emily Habeck is a love story unlike any other you will read. If you have been in a relationship, I am sure you asked your partner the time old question, "would you love me if..." I feel that is the premise Emily Habeck had and she swam with it (see what I did there). Shark Heart is so well written, some parts are rich in magical realism, others are rich in wit and heart. Shark Heart will have the reader emotional over a great white shark.  

In Shark Heart you meet a woman named Wren, who just wants to live a mediocre life. She follows the rules and makes no waves, Wren is most comfortable being in the background. But once you read about Wrens childhood and her relationship with her own mother. Wren meets and falls in love with Lewis and after a short courtship, Lewis asks Wren to marry him. Wren gladly agrees and soon she is dreaming about her life and future with Lewis and hopefully some children. But shortly after marrying Wren, Lewis is diagnosed with an animal mutation of a Great White Shark, and only has a short time left in his human form. Wren and Lewis try their best to adjust to Lewis's changing form, and his outbursts of anger at never having fulfilled his dream of being on Broadway and a great playwright. His anger and self deprecation is at an all time high when Lewis is outed as the high school theatre and his passion play is given to his replacement known simply as the "Ignoramus."
How do you morn the loss of a relationship that ended simply because of outside factors out of your control? How do you say goodbye to the love of your life, your person? How do you go forward knowing that Lewis is out in the dark cold ocean? Does he remember her, would he recognize her if he saw her in the water? 
Shark Heart was the most interesting love story that I have read in a long time. The concept of being in a normal world, but there are people that have animal mutations that will eventually transform into that form, pulls on the readers heartstrings. With short chapters told in multiple perspectives, with some parts written like a play, Shark Heart will get burrow itself in the hearts of readers and will have you thinking about this book long after you have closed it.  

If there is one thing that I am a sucker for, It is a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone. I don't know exactly what this says about me personally, and frankly I don't care, because I love it! Although I did enjoy A touch of Darkness, I wouldn't say it was my favorite of the retellings, but that could change as I continue this series.

What I really liked about Scarlett St. Clair's version is how she wrote both Hades. As someone who has always been a ride or die fan of Hades, and has often voiced my opinion on how he is misunderstood and is really one of the fairest of the Gods, I enjoyed how that came across the pages. Scarlett really painted Hades as a fair and compassionate God, who takes ruling the underworld seriously and wants the souls that are there, to be taken care of. Of course others can't know this about the Lord of the underworld, because he is supposed to be dark, mean, cunning, and wants to trick mortals for their souls. Hades is all but happy to let the rumors stand, but when Hades meets Persephone in his club Nevernight, all that might change once Persephone decides to write her next assignment about the elusive God. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, although she has no powers of her own, her and her mom agree that Persephone can live and go to school in the mortal world, Demeter's only request, "Stay away from the Gods, especially Hades".  So when Persephone comes face to face with Hades and unbeknownst becomes bond in a contract with him to create life in the underworld. But how can a goddess who only makes flowers wilt at her touch, create life in the underworld? Through this contract Persephone will come not only to find herself and her powers that have evaded her, but maybe even a love connection made by the Fates with Hades. 
Scarlett writes Persephone as a naïve, but a strong female fighting the darkness that she can feel inside of her. What I liked about her version of Persephone is that, Scarlett didn't write her as a weak love hungry struck goddess. This Persephone is rougher around the edges, is smart, focused, strong in her convictions of wanting to be more than just a kept princess. Persephone has this edge, this darkness in this version that she has to find a way to tap into and to harness if she is ever going to be free of her mother and have boundaries with Hades. 

Not a super deep book, but A Touch of Darkness offers an entertaining read, that will leave the reader blushing with curled toes. A Touch of Darkness sets up perfectly the net installment, which I will continue to see how Persephone and Hades do now that Demeter knows about them and the contract that Persephone is in. 

Suzanne Redfearn has created another character rich, family drama with her new novel Where Butterflies Wander. This is the second Suzanne Redfearn book I have read, the first being In an Instant, which is also a character rich family drama. Suzanne really writes her characters so richly, that they come alive across the pages and are able to stir up emotions in the reader. 

After a family tragedy leads to the death of their youngest child, Marie, Leo and their remaining children, Hannah, Brendan, and Penelope move into Marie's family home in hopes of flipping it to sell and move into a new home that is tragedy free.  Once there, they realize they are not alone on the family property and that the local "River Witch" Davina has occupied a small run down cabin on the property and she claims she has granted the cabin from Marie's grandfather. Despite Davina making impacts on Leo, Pen, and Hannah, Marie and Brendan are less then thrilled with Davina and want her to leave immediately. This decision will leave Brendan and Marie at a crossroads where their choices going forward will shape who they will become in the future. 

I really loved how Suzanne wrote the characters of Davina and Penelope. These two really carry the book, where the secondary characters Leo and Hannah are written to really help with the tension throughout the book. I really hated Marie and Brendan's characters. Not sure if this was the goal that Suzanne wanted, but I loathed Marie entirely. I tried being sympathetic, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child and one that is part of a twin paring. But there really was no redeeming qualities of Marie that made me think "she's going through hell, she will come out of it changed and be better going forward." Marie is spiteful, petty, and just plain mean to her core. It isn't until the very end of the book that she has a chance to make her wrongs right and be a better person going forward. But as the reader, I was not optimistic that she was changed, and that she was only doing this one particular thing to clear he conscience or to make the score even. It was just a very shallow attempt at redeeming herself. The same could be said for Brendan. But at least at the end you read that he is actively trying to change and be better not only for himself but for his family as well. 
I still would recommend Where Butterflies Wander to anyone who enjoys reading stories rich with characters and plot. I would advise that if you are a reader who has trouble reading about a Childs death or you personally have experience with this, take caution when reading. where Butterflies Wander doesn't go into descriptive details in the death, but it is the theme of this novel. 

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns is a compelling, character driven family drama, centered around the 3 Joseph boys, Baylor the oldest, Waylon the middle child, Shay the baby of the family, their distant mother Elise, and their headstrong father Mick, and Marley who is new to town, but will become a pivotal role in each of their lives. 

Marley is only 17 when she and her mom come to the small blue collar town of Mercury. Upon her arrival Marley takes in a local baseball game where she catches the eye of the oldest Joseph son Baylor, but it will be the heart of Waylon, Marley catches and holds. Despite Marley becoming pregnant with Waylon's child at a young age, and desperately wanting a relationship with Elise, Elise Joseph still holds Marley at a distance. But when Elise has a crisis in the middle of the night, it is Marley she calls to help and to keep her secrets. It is Marley who will become the center of the Joseph family when Elise passes. Taking on the duties of caring for Baylor, Waylon, Shay, Mick, as well as running Joseph and Sons roofing. But who will take care of Marley when the weight of everything gets too much? 

Mercury tells a story of a complicated family with complicated interrelationships. About wanting to find your own place, while still wanting to be loyal and most of all just loved by the ones you call family. All the characters in Mercury are richly developed with their own set of flaws that drives them. Baylor who is stubborn and tough, who only knows how to show love in the sense of paying for things and showing up to defend his family. Waylon, the middle son, who loves Marley fiercely but can not break the chains his family has on him. Shay Baby, the baby of the Joseph family who basks in the motherly love that Marley provides, has his own deep rooted secrets.  If you enjoy compelling family drama and richly developed characters, Mercury will be one that you will want to add to you To Be Read shelf. 

Dear Sister is a book that will have a lasting memory on the reader. This is not a easy reader and if you have difficulties reading about Domestic abuse, SA, physical abuse/torture, this is not going to be the book for you, this is a very heavy content book depicting horrific acts of violence often times in detail.

With that being said Dear Sister is a well written captivating story written by Michelle who is the older sister of of Nikki Addimando who is accused of killing her abuser and how the justice system failed her and her family. The sadness and rage I felt reading about what Nikki went through at the hands of her partner and how the justice system fails victims of domestic abuse, was so much that at times I had to just put it down and try not to think about what it means to be a female in this day and age. 

There really is no "silver lining" to Nikki's story other than the women who fought in her army to help keep her out of prison. That love and support is evident throughout Dear sister with the stories Michelle shares of the bond and love Nikki's children have for her, the love of female friends who when no one else but them knew, tried to have a plan of action for her to get out. But at the end of the day someone was murdered and justice does need to be served. But how does one justify sending a victim to prison? I can't really find more words to describe other than this is a profound story that needs to be shared and read. 

This is going to be an unpopular opinion review, and it hurts that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was hoping and wanting to. Please don't let this review turn you off from reading Familia, as it is a good book, I just happened to not enjoy it while reading. 

Familia has it all, mystery, murder, family secrets, drama, alternate timelines and alternate character perspectives. All the ingredients for the making a great read. Familia tells the story of Gabriella Di Marco a fact finder for a popular magazine company, with dreams of being a head writer. When Gabby's boss Max, has everyone send in their DNA to see if there is a story among the company to tell, Gabby is shocked to see a match for a sister. The reason this is a shock, is because Gabby is an only child to Lucy and Mack Di Marco, both of whom have passed away. As you can imagine Gabby is in shock and disbelief when Isabella sends her a message saying "I think you are my long lost sister". Max is ecstatic about the possibility of a major storyline developing, but when he tells Gabby that she will not be writing it, Gabby quits and books a flight down to Puerto Rico in search of Isabella and the answers she desperately wants.  

Once in Puerto Rico, Gabby and Isabella try to piece together the ever growing mystery surrounding the night that baby Marianna disappeared, while also trying to find footing in their relationship as possible sisters. Told in alternating timelines of past and present as well as multiple character perspectives, Familia is a novel that will keep the reader engaged as the story develops and unfolds. 

What I struggled with as the reader, was Familia just couldn't hold my attention for more than a few chapters. It wasn't the plot or the cast of characters, as I did find both enjoyable, but just something made me put it down for long periods. I think maybe I was just in a rut, and that shouldn't reflect on Familia as a whole. I think this novel has everything that a reader would like, so please give Familia a read. 

When I first heard that Lauren Asher was going to have another Billionaire trilogy, I added that book so fast to my Library holds. I really enjoyed the Dreamland Billionaires series so much and I just knew I would love Love Redesigned just as much.  About 150 pages in, I was NOT enjoying it. Major foreshadowing had you knowing the outcome of the book before the reader was even close to finishing. Don't get me wrong I also love a little tease between the two main characters, but Lauren had me waiting for FOREVER it felt like before something happened. But when it finally happened.... WORTH THE WAIT!!!!!! 

Love Redesigned tells the story of Julian Lopez of Lopez Luxury construction and that of Dahlia Munoz, a reality tv fixer upper personality, think Joanna Gaines, but spicier. Dahlia and Julian grew up together as competitive rivals, always pushing one another to do their best and at times worst, much to the despair of their best friend mothers. Dahlia is back in her home town of Lake Wisteria after ending her engagement to Julian's college roommate Oliver. Despite Julian's best efforts of keeping his distance from Dahlia, he promises his beloved mother he will help Dahlia get over her creative rut while keeping her mind preoccupied from Oliver. Thus begins the rekindled childhood tug of war of power between the two. will they or won't they end up falling for each other once again like back in college, or are they bond to tear each other apart?

What I really enjoyed about Love Redesigned is the theme of family. That is something that is evident throughout Lauren Asher's books. At the core of Love Redesigned is the love that Julian and Dahlia have for their families, as well as the love that their families have for them and the hope that these two childhood rivals can become the couple they all can see them to be. 

full of heart, family, and some spiciness, Love Redesigned had me oohing and awwwing and blushing. Love Redesigned can be read as a stand alone series without having to reading the Dreamland Billionaires series, but a character from that series does come up towards the end, but nothing that you would have you confused on Love Redesigned. 

"Kindness is something that seems small, Daunis,  but it's like tossing a pebble into a pond and the ripples reach further than you thought."

My first 5-star read of the year! Firekeeper's Daughter had been on my radar since its publication,  but I wanted to wait to read it when it came out in paperback,  boy am I late to the party! Angeline Boulley writes with passion and does a great job of bringing Western ideologies and those of traditional tribes together. Not to mention she did a phenomenal of writing a strong female character in Daunis. Daunis is a proud female of mixed races. She is proud to be a Firekeeper and honors those traditions throughout the book. Despite, at times, the heavy foreshadowing,  Angeline had me gasping out loud in the last 80 pages with surprise twists that the reader won't see coming.

Daunis is the oldest daughter of her white mother and Indian Father, born out of scandal, she makes the best of honoring both her parents and her community.  Daunis is up against her biggest opponent yet, one not found on the ice hockey team she loves, but ravishing the community she loves so much. Meth is somehow being made on her beloved sugar island and being distributed to other tribal communities.  It's up to her to become a confidential informant for the FBI to put a stop to the destruction that is tearing her community apart. Daunis fully commits, but she already lost two close people, what's Daunis going to do when the investigation puts more of her family in the crosshairs.

Firekeeper's Daughter is an edge-of-your-seat mystery,  as well as a story of where you come from, honoring those traditions, as well as ancestors.  If you haven't read this beautiful book, please do yourself a favor and read it. 

Isn't it nice, he says, "once you've outgrown the ideas of what life should be and you just enjoy what it is" 

Taylor Jenkins Reid just doesn't miss, she came close for me with After I Do though.  I had a hard time in the first part of the book. I REALLY related to Lauren in those moments of despair in her marriage, and I think reading her struggles brought up those same past struggles for me and it was hard to read. 

After I Do tells the story of Lauren and Ryan. Sweethearts since nineteen years old and they never looked back after their first date. Now 11 years later they conclude that they need to separate for a whole year. No seeing or speaking to one another for an entire year. Thus begins Lauren's journey of self-discovery. Lauren goes through the typical ups and downs and self-loathing, rage, and despair,  but she also discovers one day that she's OK. But the months are slipping away and with Lauren's discovery or Ryan's email drafts to her, hearing about his newly single escapades, and her new "friend " David, what will Lauren decide when the year is up?

I enjoyed how Taylor wrote both characters if you've been through a similar situation,  Lauren and Ryan come to life in the pages. You can see the passive-aggressive attitudes and looks and feel the pain as much as they do.  But the real diamond here is the background story and family of Lauren. The love that reignites for her towards them, since she is now finding she has more time on her hands, she fills it up with them. The relationship Lauren has with all of them is the bright light in the darkness.  

Also, what a feminist queen Taylor is! Something I particularly enjoyed,  and is something I often discuss with my daughter is that you don't have to conform to the old generational ones of the past. A scene in the book takes place and it's the oldest matriarch of the family explaining to Lauren that marriage is not about happiness, it's about commitment and loyalty. Happiness is secondary, and ultimately it's about children.  Lauren's grandmother then suggests she throw more cocktail parties so her husband can flirt with other women and then take her home and rock her world. Because that's what she did with her husband and it worked. I love how you have the grandmother's perspective of the old was, Lauren's mother who is newly dating and is debating having her boyfriend live with her because then the romance is dead, that of Lauren's beloved little sister, and that of her younger brother Charlie. This second half of the book ignited that "oh my gosh, I can't put this down" fire. 

All in All, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a good book, it's just not my favorite by her. I'm now all caught up on Taylor's past catalog,  and now just Carrie Soto is Back. Taylor will continue to be one of those instant read authors for me. 

Not very far into A History of Wild Places, you will come to the same conclusion I did, that Shea Ernshaw is an M. Night Shyamalan fan. A History of Wild Places very much gives off The Village and Unbreakable vibes, with Theo, one of the main characters having the same ability as David Dunn,  that when he touches an object he gains knowledge of the person he's looking for.  With that being said you get a sense of what's going on pretty quickly... Unless you have not seen The Village,  then let me give you a quick summary of A History of Wild Places now...
 Travis Wren is hired to look for a missing woman by the name of Maggie St. James, who went missing after visiting with her family.  The reason for the visit is that Maggie is a children's book author, and her series Eloise and the Fox Tail just caused a young reader to leave his family in search of the dark mysterious world Maggie writes about, causing his death. But then Travis goes missing while possibly locating Maggie's whereabouts. The real story begins and is told by the three perspectives of Bee, Calla, and Theo. This is here when you realize that they live in a very much cult-like Village community,  and are being brainwashed into believing certain dangers lie if you leave the village. But Theo, Calla, and Bee are all living in one household and are all keeping deep secrets from one another. Some of them lead to  Maggie. But there was a nice mini twist at the very end, that was a cherry on top of this average cake of a book. 
 I did enjoy A History of Wild Places, I thought the character of Bee was written perfectly. The reader has empathy and compassion for her and the situation she is in, in this Village-inspired communion.  Theo fell flat for me. He was emotionally in turmoil the entire book, it was exhausting at times and instead of sympathizing, I just ended up finding Theo Whiny. Calla was the dark horse. I did not like her character in the beginning.  She very much plays into the brainwashed member you'd expect in a cult. The one you question if she is gonna roll over on her family because of their private shenanigans. But you see Calla grow and become stronger and more secure in a leadership role. Her relationship with Bee is beautiful and complicated but the reader feels that sisterly connection with them. Shea did a tremendous job of bringing that relationship to life. I just didn't enjoy it because it was so much like M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, which is one of my least favorite films by him. But if you read through this and, have not seen M. Night Shyamalan's The Village,  then definitely read this book instead of watching the movie, because if I had to choose one the book is better with more likable characters and more strong female leads.